mg1744's photos with the keyword: Wyoming

The Grand Prismatic Hot Spring is located in the Midway Geyser Basin along the Firehole River; indeed, It's overflow along with that of several other hot springs empties directly into the river. The multi-hued concentric circles that emanate out from the blue center of the spring (not very visible here because I was not aware of the trail to the overlook on the ridge behind and to the left of this frame) are caused by varying species of heat loving organisms. Each colored ring signifies a different temperature and the different thermophiles that can live there. To survive in the harsh environments, the organisms produce photosynthetic and chemosynthetic pigments, which in turn reflect specific wavelengths of visible light, making them appear in a rainbow of colors to the human eye. The spring is located just west of the river which in turn parallels the western side of the Grand Loop Road (US Highways 89 & 191). The view is to the southwest from the boardwalk along the eastern edge of the spring. Submitted to the March, 2018 Secret Photographer Contest (SPC) @ votingmachines.panoramiogames.com/entries-review-form.php?contest=SPC&year=2018&month=3&from=C as entry #37 with the title "Sky Clouds; Steam Clouds; Reflected Clouds".

In most places Cascade Creek rushes down its canyon. However, for s short stretch of a few hundred yards it flows quietly. I suspect that further downstream there is a beaver dam or dams obscured from view on the trail which is obstructing the flow of the creek and creating this pool.

The largest terrestrial mammal inhabiting the North American continent, the American bison is more commonly known as the buffalo. Herds once numbered in the millions and ranged throughout Great Plains of the United States and Canada and even into the Ohio valley and northern Mexico. Hunted nearly to extinction in the post Civil War years in the latter half of the nineteenth century the species has recovered to the point where it is no longer listed as endangered in the United States. Nevertheless, the estimated population is only about 20,000 in fragmented herds subject to active conservation measures. The largest of these herds, numbering over 4,000, is located in Yellowstone National Park. View is to the ENE in the Hayden Valley along the Grand Loop Road.

White Dome Geyser is located along the Firehole Lake Drive in the Lower Geyser Basin of the Firehole River. Not as high as Old Faithful, it does have the advantages of a more natural setting and a shorter time between eruptions; only about 25 minutes.

A few steps further up the Cascade Canyon Trail from the next previous photo and the vista opens out with this view towards the head of the canyon. View is to the west.

View is to the southwest.

A few moments before this photo, this moose (Alces alces) cow was actually nursing her calf while standing in an eddy pool along Cascade Creek. View is to the south from a distance of about 50 yards (50m). Other hikers saw the bull which apparently had a very impressive rack, but I never caught sight of him. As an indication of how well preserved the natural landscape is, note that the wild grasses are approaching 3 feet (1m) high, hiding most of the calf in green. View is to the south. Submitted to the October, 2017 Contest Without Prize, theme "Mammals" as entry #4.

View is to the east.

In Wyoming at least, "Hole" is another word for valley first applied in this case in the 1820's by trappers or mountain men coming from the north and east who felt they were descending into a hole. Thus, Jackson (named after one of those early trappers, David Edward "Davy" Jackson who may have been the first white man to winter in the valley) Hole is the Snake River valley in the middle distance at the left of the frame with Tetons rising on the horizon to the right. Wildflowers, mostly varieties of thistle and daisies decorate the foreground. Notice the slight downward angle of the valley floor from left to right which illustrates the geological process still at work along the Teton Fault at the base of the mountain range where the plate of the valley actually is sloping down and under that of the Tetons pushing up and over. Photo was taken from the Emma Matilda overlook on Signal Mountain (7,593 feet or 2314m) and the view is to the southwest. Submitted to the August, 2017 Contest Without Prize, theme "Summer Landscapes" as entry #33.

ENLARGE PLEASE! Blacktail Butte rises from the floor of Jackson Hole with the Grand Teton range beyond in this photo taken in the early morning sun from the western edge of Gros Ventre Campground. View is to the west.

In case you were wondering about the most photographed scene in Grand Teton National Park, I suspect this is it - a reprise in color of Ansel Adams' famous photo from the Snake River overlook. Unfortunately, I could not capture an element, possibly the most important element of Adams' composition; the dramatic "S" bend in the river drawing the viewer into the scene. In my defense, Adams took his photo from the roof of his station wagon with a tripod. The best I could do was a two foot retaining wall and of course the trees must have grown several feet in the 70-odd years since Adams preserved the view. View is to the west.

One of the Moulton Barns in Grande Teton National Park with the Teton Range forming the backdrop. Grand Teton, the second highest peak in Wyoming (13,770 feet or 4197m), is immediately behind the barn in what is probably the second most photographed scene in this park. View is to the northwest. Submitted to the August, 2017 Contest Without Prize, theme "Summer Landscapes" as entry #6.